Overview
The Ministry for the Environment (Manatū Mō Te Taiao) is a New Zealand government department responsible for advising the government on environmental policy and managing the country’s natural resources. It oversees a wide range of environmental themes including climate change, freshwater, land, waste, and resource management to support and care for the natural environment.
Mission and focus areas
The Ministry’s work is centered on several key initiatives, including the resource management system reform to transform how land and resources are managed and cared for. A primary focus is climate change, specifically reaching long-term targets where all greenhouse gases (except methane from waste and agriculture biological processes) reach net zero by 2050. Other focus areas include freshwater quality monitoring, waste reduction through kerbside recycling and plastic bans, and managing the state of New Zealand’s estuarine environment.
Structure and governance
The Ministry provides guidance under the Resource Management Act 1991 and implements governance, monitoring, and reporting frameworks for national adaptation and emissions reduction plans. It also oversees the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) settings and regulations. The Ministry supports initiatives like the Māori Climate Platform to provide marae-based climate resilience.
Programs and offerings
The Ministry leads the development of emissions reduction plans (ERP) and national adaptation plans to address climate change impacts. It offers funding for initiatives that make a positive difference to the environment and provides expert advice through the “Access to Experts” program for community conservation and water quality projects. Additionally, it manages the Fast-track Approvals Act regime for infrastructure and development projects and provides public education campaigns like “Our Climate Future.”
